A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins

In my opinion...

I loved 'The Girl on the Train', wasn't as sure about 'Into the Water', so was interested to see how I felt about Paula Hawkins latest novel.

I certainly had high hopes, and have read some very good reviews, as well as some less enthusiastic ones.

It is a visual story, with the location around Regent's canal expertly described and easily imagined. It uproots the suburban concept of curtain twitching and nosy neighbours, replanting it in a fascinating setting.

The characters are strong and distinctive. Plotting is tight, with many twists and everybody has a, mainly tragic, back story to tell ,which equally means they are all suspect.

So why am I not raving about it? Overall, I felt I just needed to like the characters more. There is so much lying and deception, that ,apart from Irene , I didn't feel a connection with any of them. In spite of that, it is extremely well written, as you would expect, with a final twist that neatly explains everything, albeit in a shocking way.

Want to know more?

'What is wrong with you?'

Laura has spent most of her life being judged. She's seen as hot-tempered, troubled, a loner. Some even call her dangerous.

Miriam knows that just because Laura is witnessed leaving the scene of a horrific murder with blood on her clothes, that doesn't mean she's a killer. Bitter experience has taught her how easy it is to get caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Carla is reeling from the brutal murder of her nephew. She trusts no one: good people are capable of terrible deeds. But how far will she go to find peace?

Innocent or guilty, everyone is damaged. Some are damaged enough to kill.

Look what you started.

My rating...

Without doubt a good novel- just maybe the wrong novel for me!

Thank you Random House UK & NetGalley for my ARC